Axis History Forum

This is an apolitical forum for discussions on the Axis nations and related topics hosted by the Axis History Factbook in cooperation with Christian Ankerstjerne’s Panzerworld and Christoph Awender's WW2 day by day.
Founded in 1999.

Discussions on all (non-biographical) aspects of the Freikorps, Reichswehr, Austrian Bundesheer, Heer, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Fallschirmjäger and the other Luftwaffe ground forces. Hosted by Christoph Awender.

I'm working on my second book The 7th Guards Army from Kursk to Prague 1943-45 and I came across some information concerning the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division. During 23 January 1944, south of Kirovograd, units of the 7th Guards Army were making a diversionary attack against elements of the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division, specifically the von Oppen Battle Group position.

I have attempted to find information about von Oppen with no luck. So, does anyone know anything about this von Oppen? It appears that he was a battalion or regimental commander.

The map I'm looking at is from the Russian TsAMO Archive Document ID #131310324 "von Oppen Battle Group Position Chart". It shows German combat position for the entire group...a nice map, see below

Anyway, thanks in advance for any information you can come up with about von Oppen.

Dann

Von Oppen.jpg

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I’m really surprised no information about the von Oppen Battle Group has turned up.

So, I was thinking, parts of the 13. Pz.D. were also in the area during this time and maybe some Panzer units became mixed up with the 2. FJD. After looking at the map again I can see what looks like regimental numbers, #66 and 93. After checking with the book Hitler’s Legions, p 366, the 13. Pz.D. lists the Pz-Grenadier-Regiments 66 and 93.

So, can someone please check the records of the 13. Pz.D. for information about our lost von Oppen.

During late January, the 13 Pz D was in area facing the 7th Guards Army which checks out. Then on January 28 it was ordered north to the Korsun Pocket area. At this time the division contained some 11,000 men but had few panzers. On 1 February it had seven Pz III and eleven Pz IV operational.

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) Alexander von Oppen was assigned to or was commanding Pz.Gren.Rgt. 66. On 28 June 1944 von Oppen was awarded the German Cross in Gold for repeated acts of bravery. At this point I cannot find any further information on Von Oppen.

Also I checked Feldgrau.com which has some nice info about the 13 Pz D.